Christian Nade scored the only goal of the game

The former Sheffield United player pounced on Stuart Duff's poor back-pass to lash the ball home after 55 minutes.

Nade had earlier spurned a great chance to score and Andrius Velicka was equally profligate for the visitors in front of goal.

Aberdeen struggled for fluency and Lee Miller's effort chalked off for offside was the nearest they came to scoring.

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The Dons welcomed back Richard Foster for the visit of Hearts after he recovered from an Achilles injury.

Steve Lovell dropped out to accommodate the 22-year-old's return in the only change from the team who defeated Falkirk 3-1 in the Scottish Cup on Tuesday.

Nade started up front for the visitors, with Deividas Cesnauskis missing with flu.

Nade spurned a great chance to give the visitors the lead within two minutes when he dragged his shot wide of Jamie Langfield's left-hand post.

Jamie Smith responded for the hosts with a shot after 14 minutes which was saved well by Steve Banks.

Aberdeen failed to establish any rhythm at Pittodrie

Scott Severin then headed over when well placed after Jeffrey de Visscher's corner.

Hearts wasted another good chance to break the deadlock when Nade's cut-back found Andrius Velicka six yards from goal only for the striker's effort to be blocked by Jackie McNamara.

The Dons then suffered a double injury blow with Derek Young and Scott Severin being replaced by Chris Maguire and Stuart Duff.

Hearts broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half.

Nade atoned for his earlier miss when he pounced on Duff's poor pass to Langfield to lash the ball home.

Aberdeen looked to have equalised when Maguire crossed for Miller to push the ball past Banks, only for assistant referee Charlie Smith to raise his flag for offside.

Foster's rasping drive with two minutes remaining looked destined for the net, until it was brilliantly clawed away by Banks.

The Dons pressed unsuccessfully for an equaliser as Hearts held on for all three points.

Aberdeen: Langfield, McNamara, Diamond, Considine, Foster, De Visscher, Severin (Duff 33), Nicholson, Young (Maguire 28), Miller, Jamie Smith (Lovell 68). Subs Not Used: Soutar, Mackie, Jonathan Smith, Bus.

Booked: Considine.

Hearts: Banks, Neilson, Berra, Karipidis, Goncalves, Jonsson, Palazuelos, Stewart, Mikoliunas (McCann 85), Nade (Ksanavicius 67), Velicka (Beniusis 75). Subs Not Used: Basso, Wallace, Ivaskevicius, Thomson.

Booked: Berra, Mikoliunas.

Goals: Nade 55.

Att: 14,000

Ref: W Collum